The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-12-25
e R Z DIS
CHRISTMAS STORY.
The Pictured Spirit of the Baby
Boy.
R EDS
By MARCUS MADOo.
written for THB CHR1srMAs HERALD.

EOgTapheT, l am always interested II
the varied incidents attendant upon thu
DOING otothers whose taste leads then
TO similar pursuits. Believing that III
public would enjoy the relation OF tbs
somewhat remarkaple occurrences az
ISOLATED with the performances of q
young amateur Acquaintance, l vii
briefly rehearse his story IN, as nearly al
possible, his own language.
The name Of my young friend Is Free
Harcourt. and our acquaintance spranf
up in the following manner.
II mas been my custom for some
months past, to carry with me-, on al
nv travels, a Detsctiv. Camera con
trivauce by which a photogl aph of any
object nav be secured without attract
Z ing the attention Of bystanders.
q small aud mpleta camera, with oil
Necessary aracameuts, is enclosed
in p,ain BOX, or imitation
saech.I, Win concealed springs,
SO arranged, that a touch will make the
necessary exposure, and secure the
B picture which, of course, must be taken
to a dark room for development, by the
use of sultab Die chemicals.
It so happened when | boarded the
4 Pullman GA the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad, while returning from an
eastern trip, hat the conductor selected
berth N. ). INTO which the cOlOred
porter carried my hand satChel and the
detective camera, DTawing from my
oVercOat pocket a newspaper, l was
sool comfortably eusconCed in The lux
urious seat WHICH modern railroads
provide for their ftst-cla5S patrons.
Becoming interested IN the news from
hORa relating to incidents which had
occurred since my leaving, We had pro-
ceedad some fifty miles, and stopped st
q. very interesting station IN the noun
tainS almost before l realized tn fact.
Recognizing the place, and having
made Il note Of its beauty upon pre-
FLOus occasion, Immediately selected
spot TO which my attention had been
attracted, and raising the window OF the
Goa 4. [ speedily secured the coveted
picture.
had previously observed that, upon
nav left, il berth No. s, sat a young
man, VINO ocr asionaiiy COnversed with
a Young mother and her husband, who
occupied the adjoining section.
Replacing my camera upon the seat,
after having photographed the scene
which | hgG 50 admired. / was about TO
continue my reading, when the young
gentleman from the opposite berth ap-
pr0aeh7t ne, and with a gracious smile
said Photographer. sir2"
My reply was, "Oh, no sir; not q
photographer; only an amateur"
then Invited him to sit beside me.
He introduced himself by handing
me- his card, upon which was written
his nsme-FrederiCk HarCOurt-snd he
remarked, 4, 700, do something IN that
bne"
That was sufficient 10 create interest
IN him, and after having handed him
nv card, we soon found ourselves in
delightful conversation upon every
thing i'll general, and Smsteur phOtOg
Taphy In particular.
/ told MIN Of few OF the odd
incidents which had come under my
observation, and incidentally | said
something about spirit photographs"
My young friend immediately became
deeply interested, and remarked that
his most peculiar and impressive ex-
perience had been in connection with
Spiritual phenomena.
was a. once DESTROYS to hear him re-
late, aud urged upon him so that he
consented to tell me what he said he
had never before told consecutiyely to
any person, although there were many
to whom he had rehearsed certain por
lions.
I settled myself in a comfortable pos
ture. and prepared to give my most
profound attention, when he com
mencad story, the details of which
shall never forget,
well" said he, to begin at the be-
ginning, ss the old story teliers say,
while at college, / received al adver-
tising catalogue from leading photo
graphic dealer, In which the fascina-
lions of amateur photography we're
very elaboratelY portrayed. and list Of
low priced outfits was gwen, showing
that an expenditure of $25 or $50,
would enable one to secure as good
photographs as those made by any
professional, ETC., etc"
Having some knowledge Of chem.
isbrv, l conclHaed to invest and &C
cordingly l RENTED the necessary cash
to purchase camera lens, tri pod, plate
holders. dry plates, chemicals and SO
forth, aud III about a week or SO. a
large box reached the college, and was
taken TO my den.
In the evening as soon as was at
liberty, unpacked tbs outfit, and be
fore the sun had arisen made my first
photographer rather my first attem I.
I kept at it, gradually improving, and
soon bad to send tor further supplies.
I exhausted my stock In a short time.
ana in few months used up several
hundred plates, and quarts of develop
ing flid.
at last, began t0note improvement
Of q substantial character. ard nv
chums, whose countensnces | had
been so 'assassinatinG,' as they
said. came to me in real, soher
earnest, and sat fer photos.
I was IN husiastjc, aud without regard
to cost took delight IN photographiug
ans and every thing that came before me. |
There were very few Of the boys at
college whose faces hsd not been viewed
Lhr ugh my lens, and many OF the re-
salts 7 nave aow al home-pleasant re
minders Of college days
Among my many dear friends was
one Arthur 5egyn, who seemed TO
have cor ceived q disl' Be to having pho
ol~hnrlgh I N n rrTa =